Introduction to the American Political Process
MIT OpenCourseWare presents this undergraduate course on U.S. government, covering both classic and newer approaches to studying American political institutions. Students examine stability and change in the political system over the past three decades through a series of writing assignments that build reading and analytical skills alongside content knowledge. The course materials include a syllabus, assignment prompts, and readings covering Congress, the presidency, courts, elections, and public opinion, aimed at giving students a solid grounding in national political institutions and processes. Materials are freely available online under MIT's open license, with no lectures required to access the readings and assignments, though there is no certificate offered. The course suits anyone wanting a structured, university-level introduction to how American government actually functions and how political scientists study it.